‘Gorgeous’ George wins ugly as boxing club gets two champions

IT was seconds out for Islington Boxing Club at the weekend as not one, but two of their boxers conquered the capital.

Super-heavyweight Odera Okwuosa and light-flyweight “Gorgeous” George Bartlett were both crowned London Development champions at the regional finals, which were held at the Dagenham Roundhouse in east London on Sunday.

Competing in the Under-48kg junior ­division, Bartlett stepped between the ropes to take on Harvey Lydon from Fight Knights Boxing Club.

The orthodox boxer switched to southpaw in search of a tactical advantage, and it worked wonders as Bartlett won what Islington club ­manager Reggie Hagland called “an untidy bout” via a unanimous decision.

Odera Okwuosa

The 15-year-old has, however, declined the opportunity to now fight in the National Championship as he prepares to take a break from the ring. Hagland explained: “George is in his final year at school and needs to focus on his exams.”

Clubmate Okwuosa, who was boxing in the 91+kg senior Class B division, was up against it in his bout against the more experienced and much-fancied Simon Ibekwe from White Hart Lane Boxing Academy.

Fought over three three-minute rounds, it proved a close contest with the Islington man eventually being awarded the win courtesy of a 4-1 split decision.

Okwuosa will not progress to the National quarter-finals, which take place in Southampton on Saturday, October 12.

Islington BC, which is based in Hazellville Road, Upper Holloway, could yet unveil more capital champions.